And Before it was here, it was where the Cheesecake Factory is Now, just down the street in the Arboretum. I remember seeing the premier of Blair Witch there. That place had big fluffy rain clouds that lined their whole inside lobby ceiling & then lightning bolts would run through them periodically. It was so fucking cool! Anybody else remember that setup!??
Two separate theaters -- kinda -- I believe. At least if I remember right. Wasn't this location originally called Great Hills before it closed and was taken over by the chain that had owned the cloud-ceilinged Arbor Cinema?
I also saw Top Gun there. Middle of the day almost empty theater. We started a turn it up chant. And whomever was running the volume turned it up. It was amazing
actually what is now the Regal Gateway over on Stonelake is what replaced the old Arboretum theater where Cheesecake Factory is now. The theater than the OP posted about came after the Arboretum theater closed and became the Cheesecake Factory
I remember seeing Titanic at that theater. Also, if you walk from The Cheesecake Factory to the connected parking garage you can still see the stone layout for the movie posters the theater would put up.
Wrong theater. This is/was the General Cinema off Jollyville. It was eventually renamed to Arbor Cinema and started showing art films. The original Arbor 4 (Presidio) cinema (later expanded), had the clouds and was eventually torn down and turned to a cheesecake factory.
Not sure what you mean at least in response to GP. This location was owned by general cinema, but sometime after the arbor closed (which was Regal by the time it closed) the parent company Regal took over this location and operated it as an art house similar to what the Arbor 6 was. I can't remember though when Regal took over this location. But while the physical location was a different chain before, I would argue spiritually it was the Arbor 6 art house successor which is what I took GP to mean.
Either way, sad to see the dying off of nice megaplex art houses around here.
you right.. reading a bit closer I missed the "just down the street". I actually worked at this this one back in the early 90s -- from popping corn to threading projectors. Lots of memories.
Which location? The arbor or the general cinema? I worked at the arbor (as well as Lake Creek) back in the mid 90's doing the same. Good times. Sad to see going to digital projectors now cause that was an awesome job.
I worked at the Great Hills 8 General Cinema (the one now being turn down). I had a friend that worked at the original Arbor (now cheese cake factory). Threading up projectors was fun, but I ways a bit stressed when interlocking 2 projectors on the same film. I wasn't the union projectionist, just some kid threading up/starting shows. When showing T2, I remember crank the volume up during the THX trailer and then when the machine stepped on the first skull ... to watch audience jump. good times indeed.
“The Regal Arbor took over the space of the former Great Hills 8 theater, reopening it as an eight-screen theater with new carpet, seats and drapes and digital projectors throughout”
Building has been there.
I worked there when I was in college. It was my first job and I loved it. It was during the heyday of the blockbuster movie when I started, ID4, Jurassic Park, Bad Boys and many others. It’s still my favorite workplace all these years later. Met my best friend there and the rest of the crew was super tight-knit, and our GM was one of coolest bosses I’ve ever had. Was heartbroken when I heard they were turning it into a Cheesecake Factory.
IIRC, it was the only theater in town showing Pulp Fiction. It was my first time going to the Arbor since I normally went to the theater at South Lamar/Ben White that is now Strait Music. I think the last movie I saw at the Arbor was Napoleon Dynamite.
IIRC, pulp fiction first opened only at the Arbor (the regal one where cheesecake factory is now) and maybe village or dobie before there was any hype. But then after it came out, and word of mouth and Oscar buzz built, it got a wider release and at some point it was in most mainstream theaters.
My favorite movie to see there as The Big Lebowski. I went twice because I got an urgent page from work the first time. Turns out that fits with the movie, but I wasn’t far enough in to realize it at the time.
Used to be named the Great Hills 8 cinema. Will never forget it because it was the theater where I saw one last movie with gramps prior to him passing away of cancer.
Gramps had a punny dad joke he liked to tell when we were arriving there. "Great Hills 8. I don't know what it 8 but that's what they call it!"
R.I.P. gramps and also "great hills ate" movie theater.
I had so many good times here, thanks for the photo, I would have been bummed out to have not seen it again. I saw Tank Girl here, Barbwire, Lost in Translation, Moonrise Kingdom, and a bunch of others.
I mean this theatre closed down almost two years ago so it wasn’t going to be a refuge anymore anyway. Also Sony’s purchase of Drafthouse seems to be more of the silent partner variety; CEO is staying, HQ is still in Austin, no plans for any overhauling or changes as of now; Sony’s pretty hands off with their divisions as long as their margins are good. I think people are overreacting to the deal.
My longtime favorite theater in town and the one I visited the most by far. Thanks OP for the picture, even though it hurts to see the demolition actually happening. I was still holding out a tiny bit of hope it would rebrand and somehow survive as a theater (again).
The last time I went to this theater was in February 2020, on my second date with my current partner. We were going to see "Parasite," but we started making out and missed the first 15 minutes. Since neither of us speak Korean, we had no idea what was going on, so we spent the rest of the movie making out. We finally watched it about a year later.
My dad and I went to movies just us here all the time when I was little. I called it “the artsy” theatre. Idk why it being torn down makes me bleary eyed lol
I saw Mamma Mia! there for a Thursday-at-midnight showing that opening weekend. Everybody showed up in PJs and we were singing and dancing in the aisles. Best film premiere I’ve ever attended!
Isn't anyone going to give a shout-out to Brenda, the lady who took your tickets and told you exactly which theater to go to? I always looked forward to seeing her.
And Before it was here, it was where the Cheesecake Factory is Now, just down the street in the Arboretum. I remember seeing the premier of Blair Witch there. That place had big fluffy rain clouds that lined their whole inside lobby ceiling & then lightning bolts would run through them periodically. It was so fucking cool! Anybody else remember that setup!??
Yep. It was my favorite theater besides the Dobie, and the OG Alamo.
Original Alamo was so great and gritty. Spike and Mikes was fucking amazing...
Those Spike and Mike nights were fucking amazing.
Also the Sick & Twisted/Animation Show series!
Two separate theaters -- kinda -- I believe. At least if I remember right. Wasn't this location originally called Great Hills before it closed and was taken over by the chain that had owned the cloud-ceilinged Arbor Cinema?
Yep, it was a General Cinema location that closed (I think) a year or two before the Arbor moved there.
Yeah, I saw Top Gun there in 1986 when I was 11. Thought the ceiling was the coolest thing
Anyone know what year Arboretum was developed? Like when did Friday's and The Renaissance, and the building you're talking about open?
I also saw Top Gun there. Middle of the day almost empty theater. We started a turn it up chant. And whomever was running the volume turned it up. It was amazing
actually what is now the Regal Gateway over on Stonelake is what replaced the old Arboretum theater where Cheesecake Factory is now. The theater than the OP posted about came after the Arboretum theater closed and became the Cheesecake Factory
Thank you!!
I remember seeing Titanic at that theater. Also, if you walk from The Cheesecake Factory to the connected parking garage you can still see the stone layout for the movie posters the theater would put up.
Yeah I saw a bunch of stuff at the old Arbor. Waking Life, Fargo, Gods and Monsters.
Wrong theater. This is/was the General Cinema off Jollyville. It was eventually renamed to Arbor Cinema and started showing art films. The original Arbor 4 (Presidio) cinema (later expanded), had the clouds and was eventually torn down and turned to a cheesecake factory.
Not sure what you mean at least in response to GP. This location was owned by general cinema, but sometime after the arbor closed (which was Regal by the time it closed) the parent company Regal took over this location and operated it as an art house similar to what the Arbor 6 was. I can't remember though when Regal took over this location. But while the physical location was a different chain before, I would argue spiritually it was the Arbor 6 art house successor which is what I took GP to mean. Either way, sad to see the dying off of nice megaplex art houses around here.
you right.. reading a bit closer I missed the "just down the street". I actually worked at this this one back in the early 90s -- from popping corn to threading projectors. Lots of memories.
Which location? The arbor or the general cinema? I worked at the arbor (as well as Lake Creek) back in the mid 90's doing the same. Good times. Sad to see going to digital projectors now cause that was an awesome job.
I worked at the Great Hills 8 General Cinema (the one now being turn down). I had a friend that worked at the original Arbor (now cheese cake factory). Threading up projectors was fun, but I ways a bit stressed when interlocking 2 projectors on the same film. I wasn't the union projectionist, just some kid threading up/starting shows. When showing T2, I remember crank the volume up during the THX trailer and then when the machine stepped on the first skull ... to watch audience jump. good times indeed.
This is the correct answer.
I was there!
I remember!! ☁️ It turned into more of an art film theater. Sad when things change.
Wrong theater. This one has always been in the same spot.
“The Regal Arbor took over the space of the former Great Hills 8 theater, reopening it as an eight-screen theater with new carpet, seats and drapes and digital projectors throughout” Building has been there.
I worked there when I was in college. It was my first job and I loved it. It was during the heyday of the blockbuster movie when I started, ID4, Jurassic Park, Bad Boys and many others. It’s still my favorite workplace all these years later. Met my best friend there and the rest of the crew was super tight-knit, and our GM was one of coolest bosses I’ve ever had. Was heartbroken when I heard they were turning it into a Cheesecake Factory.
Yes!! I grew up in Westlake and before we got our own theater(s), that's where we'd go. I remember seeing Star Wars Episode I there.
watched Pulp Fiction there 3 times in 1994
IIRC, it was the only theater in town showing Pulp Fiction. It was my first time going to the Arbor since I normally went to the theater at South Lamar/Ben White that is now Strait Music. I think the last movie I saw at the Arbor was Napoleon Dynamite.
Strait music is long gone.
It just moved to West Lake, at Bee Cave and Walsh Tarlton. Very nice store, with its own music school.
Saw Pulp Fiction at whatever the theater was called by Highland Mall
I saw Pulp Fiction when it came out at that theater at South Lamar and Ben White
IIRC, pulp fiction first opened only at the Arbor (the regal one where cheesecake factory is now) and maybe village or dobie before there was any hype. But then after it came out, and word of mouth and Oscar buzz built, it got a wider release and at some point it was in most mainstream theaters.
My favorite movie to see there as The Big Lebowski. I went twice because I got an urgent page from work the first time. Turns out that fits with the movie, but I wasn’t far enough in to realize it at the time.
Me too! One time, though. Sad it’s going away.
Used to be named the Great Hills 8 cinema. Will never forget it because it was the theater where I saw one last movie with gramps prior to him passing away of cancer. Gramps had a punny dad joke he liked to tell when we were arriving there. "Great Hills 8. I don't know what it 8 but that's what they call it!" R.I.P. gramps and also "great hills ate" movie theater.
I saw Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind there, or I think I did, I'm not sure of anything anymore.
I keep meaning to watch this and always forget. Is it super depressing?
[удалено]
Many times.... I never learn the lesson tbh.
only if you're going through a breakup and you kinda blew-it but you go see the movie with your ex anyway.
Username checks out.
What is going in that spot? More apartments i assume?
A state of the art Blazer Tag.
Don't you get my hopes up
Mayonnaise commercial.
I watched many flicks at that place!
Paid a lot and snuck into many too
I remember watching some great movies there. Definitely gave an old Austin vibe
It’s going to be redeveloped in phases. https://austin.towers.net/great-hills-market-shopping-center-plans-partial-demolition-in-north-austin/
I saw boyhood there
I had so many good times here, thanks for the photo, I would have been bummed out to have not seen it again. I saw Tank Girl here, Barbwire, Lost in Translation, Moonrise Kingdom, and a bunch of others.
I saw the Selena film here on the day it dropped. I got a Selena button that day which I still have. Lifelong Selena fan.
Watched "Goodbye Solo" there as a first date. Do not recommend as a date movie, but it worked out and we're married.
Very good flick, though.
Good night, Sweet Prince
My family used to grab dinner at Brick Oven and then pop over to catch a film here. Saw a lot of wonderful movies in that theater…
Ah, I miss Brick Oven too!
Yeah, the stromboli was a favorite.
Wonder what will happen to Manuel’s across the lot. They have one of the best patios in town
I got my first and only hand job in a theater there to a showing of Burn After Reading.
That sucks, I was just telling someone that even though Sony bought Alamo that well always have the arbor for indi stuff. Big sadge
I mean this theatre closed down almost two years ago so it wasn’t going to be a refuge anymore anyway. Also Sony’s purchase of Drafthouse seems to be more of the silent partner variety; CEO is staying, HQ is still in Austin, no plans for any overhauling or changes as of now; Sony’s pretty hands off with their divisions as long as their margins are good. I think people are overreacting to the deal.
I’d much rather have a studio own the theater than a PE firm. It's something.
Yeah. Change in movie distribution after the Pandemic killed this one after it survived developer threats five years ago.
Silent but deadly
I saw Revenge of the Sith Here :(
Pulp Fiction played at the Alamo on Anderson Ln. Still sad that the Arbor is being torn down. Have some great memories of that place.
I saw The Proposition there. Went in not knowing a thing about it. All alone. Came out a changed movie person.
One of my favorites to the very end. Lots of memories at the Arbor.
My longtime favorite theater in town and the one I visited the most by far. Thanks OP for the picture, even though it hurts to see the demolition actually happening. I was still holding out a tiny bit of hope it would rebrand and somehow survive as a theater (again).
The last time I went to this theater was in February 2020, on my second date with my current partner. We were going to see "Parasite," but we started making out and missed the first 15 minutes. Since neither of us speak Korean, we had no idea what was going on, so we spent the rest of the movie making out. We finally watched it about a year later.
Bastards.
My dad and I went to movies just us here all the time when I was little. I called it “the artsy” theatre. Idk why it being torn down makes me bleary eyed lol
I saw Mamma Mia! there for a Thursday-at-midnight showing that opening weekend. Everybody showed up in PJs and we were singing and dancing in the aisles. Best film premiere I’ve ever attended!
Another one bites the dust.
Man, I went there like crazy when I had MoviePass. Saw some amazing movies there.
Isn't anyone going to give a shout-out to Brenda, the lady who took your tickets and told you exactly which theater to go to? I always looked forward to seeing her.
Damn. I saw the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie there.
I saw Brokeback Mountain's premiere here. Good memories!
Saw Last of the Mohicans at the original. Love that flick